How to Clean a Fridge Like a Pro: A Spotless, Odor-Free Refrigerator

A fridge is a common appliance that usually stays in the kitchen or dining area. This appliance needs to be cleaned at least once every 3-4 months.

Since we use it constantly, the fridge door gets opened countless times each day to store or retrieve items like juice, fruit, water, butter, and more.

Growing up, I used to be afraid of cleaning the fridge in my parents’ house because it was always packed with food. Being part of a big family with just one large fridge made it feel overwhelming.

Now, however, I know exactly how to clean a fridge—no matter how messy or smelly—thanks to my professional training!

Required Tools for Cleaning a Fridge

1. Hand gloves
2. Microfiber cloth
3. Glass cleaner microfiber cloth
4. Narrow brush (for cleaning the drain hole)
5. Toothbrush (To clean mold)
6. Liquid stainless steel cleaner (optional)
7. Syringe (To pour water inside the water hole)
8. Dish soap

How to Clean the Inside of a Fridge?

Step 1: Unplug or Switch Off the Fridge

If possible, unplug the fridge to be extra safe while cleaning. If the socket is difficult to reach or the fridge can’t be moved, simply switch it off.

Step 2: Clean One Shelf at a Time

Cleaning shelf by shelf helps avoid getting messed up with the cleaning. Start from the top and work your way down.

1. Empty: Begin with the top shelf. Remove all items.
2. Wipe Containers: Wipe down jars and food containers, and set them aside. I prefer to place them in a box. So, I know all staff are in one place.
3. Declutter: As you handle each item, check expiration dates, and discard anything expired, rotten, or spoiled.
4. Clean Fridge Walls: Wipe down the fridge walls with a damp cloth and mild dish soap. For tough stains, repeat the process, then dry with a clean cloth.
5. Wash the Shelf: Clean each shelf, wash them with a sponge, then soak them with a damp cloth, followed by a dry one.
6. Replace Items: Put the dry, clean shelf back in place and return the food items.

Step 3: Clean Drawers and Compartments

Remove, wash, and dry all shelves, drawers, and side compartments, following the steps in Step 2. Once everything is clean and dry, return each piece to its spot in the fridge.

How to Clean a Fridge Drain Hole?

The drain hole is a small opening inside your fridge, usually located at the bottom. Its purpose is to drain excess moisture from condensation. Though small, this hole plays an important role in keeping your fridge functioning properly.

Why is it Important to Clean the Drain Hole?

If the drain hole gets blocked with food debris, condensation water can accumulate under the drawers, creating bad odors inside the fridge and impacting its efficiency. This may lead to food spoiling even when it’s stored inside.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning a Drain Hole:

1. Remove the Drawers: Clear out the drawers and make sure you have an open space to access the drain hole without obstruction.
2. Inspect the Hole: Take a look at the hole to assess how clogged it might be.
3. Use an Unclogging Tool or Narrow Brush: If your fridge came with a cleaning tool for the drain hole, use it. If not, insert a long, narrow brush. Dirty water and debris may come out as you clean.
4. Flush with Warm Water: Using a syringe, pour warm water into the drain hole to help loosen any remaining debris. Gently repeat with the brush as needed.
5. Wipe Away Residue: Wipe up any debris or water on the fridge surface with a cloth, then follow up with a dry cloth.

How to Clean a Moldy Fridge?

Why Does Mold Happen?

Mold usually develops when a fridge isn’t regularly cleaned. It’s especially common in commercial fridges or around the water dispenser of a stainless steel fridge.

Mold can also grow in home fridges if any area isn’t cleaned often.

Common causes of mold in fridges include:

• A blocked water drain hole that traps moisture and food particles.
• Expired food items in packets or boxes.

Steps to Clean Mold:

1. Clear the Water Drain Hole: Clean the drain hole thoroughly as described above to prevent any further mold growth.
2. Remove Expired Food: Discard any expired food, especially items in boxes or packets that may harbor mold.
3. Wipe Down Surfaces: Use a warm, soapy damp cloth to wipe all interior surfaces of the fridge to remove any mold or residue.

For Water Dispensers: Check below in stainless steel fridge section.

How to Clean a Smelly Fridge?

Cleaning a smelly fridge is easy, but maintaining a fresh-smelling fridge is not!

When you thoroughly clean the water drain hole that was clogged and developed mold, throw out expired foods, and wipe the entire inside surface with a soapy damp cloth, the smell will no longer be present.

But here are some tips so you can maintain a fresh-smelling fridge for a long time:

1. Always keep half a lemon open inside the fridge. It helps to maintain a fresh smell at all times.
2. Never store any food for too long in food containers, vegetable boxes, or anywhere else. And never store raw or cooked food without a lid.
3. Do not allow your fridge to develop mold anywhere. Check the water drain hole regularly.
4. Never store foods with strong flavors without a strong lid, like chopped onion, garlic, ginger, or any curry. Also, raw foods like fish, meat, etc.

How to Clean a Fridge Door?

When you remove a compartment from the fridge door, wipe down the inside of the door wall thoroughly.

Don’t forget the rubber strip around the inside edge of the fridge door. This strip should also be wiped clean to remove any dirt or buildup.

How to Clean the Exterior of a Fridge?

The dirtiest part of a fridge exterior is often the handle or knob. Be sure to wipe these areas thoroughly.

If you have items like magnets, planners, stickers, letters, or pictures on the fridge door, remove them one by one, clean them, and then replace them.

Alternatively, you can take everything off at once, wipe each item, and clean the entire exterior—door, sides, and bottom—before putting them back.

Remember to declutter any unnecessary items from the outside of your fridge.

Tips

Be careful when removing or placing fridge magnets, as strong magnets can sometimes leave scratches.

How to Clean a Stainless Steel Fridge?

Cleaning the inside of a stainless steel fridge is the same as cleaning any other type, like white or black fridges. However, the exterior of stainless steel often needs extra care to maintain its shine.

How to Clean the Outside of a Stainless Steel Fridge?

Stainless steel surfaces tend to show fingerprints and smudges, and regular stains can sometimes look like scratches. Here are some simple tips for cleaning a stainless steel fridge exterior:

1. Empty the surface, like if any magnet or pictures there.
2. Use a damp microfiber cloth (make sure it’s clean).
3. Wipe gently from top to bottom, focusing especially on high-touch areas like the handle.
4. For stubborn stains, repeat the process.
5. Finish by wiping the entire exterior with a dry, clean microfiber cloth.

Expert Tips:

• Avoid using dish soap on the cloth; it can leave streaks or marks on the surface.
• A stainless steel cleaner can give your fridge a shiny, like-new appearance.
• For a final polish, use a dry microfiber cloth specifically for glass or stainless steel.

How to Clean a Black Stainless Steel Fridge?

There is a specialty with black stainless steel fridges. The black surface is coated in a way that makes stains and fingerprints less visible compared to silver-colored stainless steel.

So, you need to find the fingerprints and stains. The best way to do this is by viewing the surface from an angle. Another trick is to see them through a mobile lens, like when we set up the mobile camera to take a picture!

You cannot use any kind of abrasive cleaning product on it, as it may destroy the shine of the black surface.

Best way to clean a black stainless steel fridge:

1. Clear the surface.
2. Wipe the surface with a damp microfiber cloth by warm water. Or use a liquid stainless steel cleaner specifically for black fridges.
3. Clean in one direction, not circular motions.
4. Focus more on the handle area.
5. Wipe followed by a dry microfiber cloth. A glass-cleaner microfiber cloth gives the best results.

How to Clean a Refrigerator Coil?

The refrigerator coils often gather dust and cobwebs. Even hair—especially if anyone in your home has shedding hair or you have pets that shed. Hair and dust can easily get caught in the coils.

To clean the coils, use a vacuum cleaner with a small brush attachment or a handheld brush that’s safe for coil cleaning.

However, if your fridge is tightly set in a space that’s hard to reach or you lack the proper equipment, it’s wise to hire a professional to avoid damaging the appliance and to ensure a safe, thorough cleaning.

Important Tips:

• Always unplug the refrigerator before cleaning the coils.
• Avoid using damp cloths or anything wet, as moisture can damage the coils or cause safety hazards.

As a professional cleaner, I know that accessing and cleaning behind the refrigerator isn’t always easy. Sometimes, it requires specific tools or technical preparation to clean effectively.

When you are done, have one last look in the fridge so that everything is in place and that everything has been cleaned.